Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part or all of your thyroid gland if
it’s overactive
, has grown very large, or has nodules, cysts or other growths that are—or could be—cancerous.
When is thyroid removal necessary?
Your doctor may recommend that you consider thyroid surgery for 4 main reasons: You have a nodule that might be thyroid cancer. You
have a diagnosis of thyroid cancer
. You have a nodule or goiter that is causing local symptoms – compression of the trachea, difficulty swallowing or a visible or unsightly mass.
What are the side effects of removing your thyroid?
Side effects of thyroid removal are
hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), low calcium, tremor and spasms
. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located below the Adam’s apple in the lower part of the neck and wraps around the windpipe (trachea).
Can you live a normal life without a thyroid?
Can you live without your thyroid? The short answer is
yes
. People can live full, long lives without a thyroid (or with an underactive thyroid) if they take medication to replace the absence of thyroid hormones in their body with thyroid medication.
At what size should a thyroid be removed?
Previous studies had shown that between 11- 20% of cancerous nodules ≥ 4 cm may be misclassified as benign (false negative) and this has led to recommendations that all
nodules > 4 cm
should be removed.
Why am I so tired after having my thyroid removed?
Tiredness and feeling emotional
After any operation, your body is using a lot of
energy
to heal itself, so you will feel more tired than normal. With a thyroid operation, there is another reason for tiredness. The thyroid produces hormones which control the speed at which your body works.
How long do you stay in hospital after thyroid surgery?
Because of this rare chance of bleeding, we keep you in the hospital for
4 hours after the
operation for observation and in certain cases may observe you overnight in the hospital.
What is life like after thyroid removal?
For most patients, walking and normal routines can resume the day after the operation, but vigorous activity and heavy lifting are not recommended for two weeks. Depending on their job type, most people will need to take
1-2 weeks off work
after thyroid surgery.
Do you gain weight after thyroid removal?
Following thyroid surgery,
patients often complain of weight gain
, even when they have achieved biochemical euthyroidism.
Is thyroid removal major surgery?
A thyroidectomy is a treatment for a variety of diseases, disorders and conditions of the thyroid gland. A thyroidectomy is
a common but major surgery with serious
risks and potential complications.
Does thyroid removal affect life expectancy?
Overall
14% of the patients had reduced life expectancy
. There was no reduction in life expectancy for those younger than age 45, but it was reduced in those older than age 45, especially in those over age 60.
Will I feel better after my thyroid is removed?
This is normal for
several weeks after surgery
and will resolve over time. You may also feel a sensation of swelling or firmness that will also resolve over time.
What a thyroid patient should not eat?
- Soy foods: tofu, tempeh, edamame, etc.
- Certain vegetables: cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, spinach, etc.
- Fruits and starchy plants: sweet potatoes, cassava, peaches, strawberries, etc.
- Nuts and seeds: millet, pine nuts, peanuts, etc.
Should you remove a benign thyroid nodule?
Even a benign growth on your thyroid gland can cause symptoms. If a thyroid nodule is causing voice or swallowing problems, your doctor may recommend treating it
with surgery to remove all or part of the
thyroid gland.
What kind of surgeon removes the thyroid?
Thyroid surgery is performed by
otolaryngologists or general surgeons
.
How do you remove thyroid without surgery?
Bulging or uncomfortable thyroid nodules used to require surgery. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective alternative – no surgery or hormone therapy required. In the U.S., nearly half the population will develop a thyroid nodule by age 60.
